Building Codes Vs Housing Quality Standards.

K2

I just got my checklist for Section 8 HQS which is partially funded by the Feds so these standards I believe are national. Just a few differences.

HQS egress window min width is 20" and height is 24" Min net opening sq ft is 3.7. .. Max off the floor is 48"

HQS requires 1 electrical outlet/room. The cover plate can't be cracked.

Pretty easy. There are a few others too.

concretemasonry

Section 8 requirements apply to Section 8 units, but local codes can be more restrictive, especially if it is an open rental or being sold.

Where I live, a unit cannot be rented unless it meets the local code requirements. As I understand it, the Section 8 requirements only apply after the unit is rented and if Section 8 subsidies are requested.

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Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

K2

My point being that guys might want know the difference between the IRC and whatever mimimum quality standard applies in their jurisdiction.

Rick2008

Just out of curiosity.......how many of y'all's states have adopted the IRC (or a modified version of it)?

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joasis

Not really relevant, but Oklahoma was pretty much BOCA '96 until a few years back. Every jurisdiction I know of is on IRC/IBC now, with many that have more restrictive codes.

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K2

Most of California I believe is on a version of the UBC which was a more strict code. Unzoned Colorado, (which is probably most of it), has no building requiremnets, but a state plumbing, electrical, and septic inspection is required. There are still some pockets unzoned in my city and county that don't require building permits.

mickeyco

I'm in Illinois, we have no State adopted codes, it's up to each jurisdiction. We have every code you can think of out here, it varies from city to city, some areas have no code at all, it's a free for all, woo hoo!. Actually it kind of sucks, you have to know what town uses what code and they all have some type of stupid amendments, you need to purchase way too many code books and in some areas in a city that are unincorporated you have to go by the County code, it's a mess.

I'm thinking about buying some land in one of those towns with no codes and build a house out of cardboard, using aluminum wiring, asbestos tile, lead paint and polybutylene plumbing, just for sh*ts and grins.

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Lumpy

Can they force you to retrofit to meet current code? That could take a basic rehab to full gut in a blink!

I'm sure that wasn't in the original scope, was it?

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mickeyco

I've done a bit of work in Section 8 housing and they can be real particular, no dripping faucets, a cracked tile is a tripping hazard, no cracked glass in the windows, it doesn't matter that the lazy a-holes getting the free housing did all the damage they withhold payments until you fix the problems and meet inspection. I've said it many times before, I will never allow section 8 in one of my rentals, I don't care how much they pay (they will pay more than the going rate).


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Some people climb mountains. I take out the trash. But we both do it for the same reason.

Lumpy

Mickeco,
My point is there is a huge differrence between tile, paint or replacement windows and an electrical outlet for 12 running of wall or 4 linear feet of countertop or Title 24 stuff.

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Fran Yetso Construction
professional remodeling

K2

Regarding egress windows for example. I now know of 3 different sizing requirements, the IRC, the UBC, and the HQS. So when realtors, appraisers, insurance agents,TV remodel hosts, start spouting about "egress windows", there's a chance they don't know what they are talking about. ..When the lowball real estate investor starts telling the old lady next door that one room doesn't qualify as a bedroom because the window is too small, she can tell him to go f himself and whip out a copy of the HQS.

Kgmz

Those Section 8 rules are not even close to what a normal building code would be.

And there is a good reason why, most units that are section 8 rentals are usually very old units/houses, etc. that were built before the codes we have now.

concretemasonry

Our local/state occupancy requirements for rental take precedence over any leser requirements because your never know if the occupant will be Section 8. They are enforced when the unit is reinspected as a rental.

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Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

odellconstruct

i just did a few not too long ago here our our specs for lower new york

as per local requirements . min area of opening is 5.7 sq ft example: 20"wide by 41"height equaling 5.7 sq ft , they don't care what the actual dimension as long as it totals 5.7 . i put 2 double hungs together the actual window was like 72"x 60 " not leaving much room for header and criplers on bottom , not to mention room for wiring (put elec boxes at both ends ) all this for a second story window ,the only one in the house just becouse it was a new addition .

boxes here have to be a min of 6 ft apart .